For many people, dentures offer a new lease on life, restoring confidence, function, and the ability to enjoy everyday activities like eating and speaking. But what happens when those dentures don’t fit properly? While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, ill-fitting dentures can lead to far more serious health issues than most people realize. The consequences can be severe—and potentially life-threatening. Read on to learn why proper denture fit is more than just a matter of comfort and why ignoring the warning signs could put your health at serious risk.
What is the Link Between Ill-Fitting Dentures and Cancer?
Dentures that fit well rest securely on your gums by creating suction, while poorly fitting ones can rub against the soft tissue. This friction can be not only irritating but may also cause the tissue to become inflamed over time.
A meta-analysis from 2014 found that ill-fitting dentures can increase the risk of oral cancer by up to 290 percent! The sores or blisters caused by your dentures rubbing your gums can become infected and develop disease or decay in your jawbone, leading to serious medical concerns.
Although inflammation is a normal response by the body, if it becomes persistent, it can lead to more serious health issues. Ongoing inflammation may damage the cells in your mouth, potentially raising your risk of developing oral cancer.
How Do Alcohol & Tobacco Use Come into the Picture?
It’s not that a pair of dentures itself can increase cancer risks; rather, it’s the gaps that ill-fitting dentures leave that can cause problems. When dentures don’t fit well in the mouth, it leaves spaces where things like the carcinogens from alcohol and tobacco get trapped against the gum tissue. Furthermore, those same harmful elements can enter into gum sores or blisters because of a bad fit.
How Can I Prevent This from Happening?
Take these steps to keep your oral health safe and intact:
- Get your dentures fixed: Whether you need a repair to your prosthesis, a new set entirely, or just an adjustment to its fit, your dentist can take the necessary steps to make sure your artificial teeth fit well to help avoid these issues.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake: Quitting smoking is not only good for your overall health, it’ll keep those harmful chemicals out of your mouth and away from your dentures. Drink in moderation as studies show that drinking alcohol excessively is linked to 30 percent of oral cancer developing in patients.
- Practice solid oral hygiene: It’s a must that you brush your dentures regularly and rinse them after each meal. Also, soak them overnight in a denture-cleaning solution or water to keep them moist and prevent warping and bending.
- Professional Preventive Care: Visit your dentist every 6 months for a checkup and professional cleaning. Doing so will go a long way towards preventing tooth decay, gum disease, or other complications that could compromise your oral health. The dentist will take this time to check out your denture and ensure it fits as well.
While the connections aren’t immediately obvious, as you can see, maintaining your denture and making sure it fits well will both go a long way towards keeping you in good health!
About the Practice
All our offices at Indy Dental Group are home to experienced, dedicated doctors who can’t wait to serve your dental needs! Whether it’s a new set of dentures you need or just repairs and adjustments to your existing device, we’ve got you covered. Need a different kind of service? We offer everything from routine cleanings to teeth whitening to dental implants. Just visit our website today for more information or to schedule an appointment.